Mainstream ex-China steel plate offer prices from mills have been heard at $680/mt FOB for September shipment as of today, Monday, July 18, moving down by $55/mt compared to July 11. Reference deal prices have been heard at $665-675/mt FOB to South America and Southeast Asia with trading remaining limited in the falling market.
During the given week, steel plate prices in the Chinese domestic market have moved down sharply amid decreasing HRC futures prices, though rising by 3.05 percent on July 18, and this contributed to the price rises on the same day following previous decreases. However, market players are cautious towards the future market prospects as they are wondering whether demand could improve in the near future. It is thought that steel plate prices in the Chinese domestic market may fluctuate within a limited range in the coming week.
Average Q235 20 mm steel plate spot prices in China have moved down by RMB 357/mt ($53/mt) compared to July 11 to RMB 4,066/mt ($602/mt) ex-warehouse, according to SteelOrbis’ information.
As of July 18, HRC futures at the Shanghai Futures Exchange are standing at RMB 3,785/mt ($561/mt), decreasing by RMB 264/mt ($39.1/mt) or 6.5 percent since July 11.
$1 = RMB 6.7447
